CVE-2020-27861Public exploit

Root code execution via crafted DHCP hostname

Published Feb 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Command injection in NETGEAR Orbi 2.5.1.16 allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted DHCP Host Name option. UA_Parser places the DHCP-supplied hostname inside a double-quoted command string and passes it to system(), permitting shell expansion of attacker-controlled metacharacters. An unauthenticated device on the router's local network can gain root execution when the attached-device scan processes the lease hostname.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.03%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in NETGEAR Orbi 2.5.1.16 allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted DHCP Host Name option. UA_Parser places the DHCP-supplied hostname inside a double-quoted command string and passes it to system(), permitting shell expansion of attacker-controlled metacharacters. An unauthenticated device on the router's local network can gain root execution when the attached-device scan processes the lease hostname.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-27861
Published
Feb 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
NETGEAR
Product
Orbi
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.004
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.5.1.16

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

NETGEAR · Orbiversion=2.5.1.16

Published CVSS scores

8.3NIST NVDAV:A/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
8.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NETGEARCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.004Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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